Chorus
For a' that, an' a' that, An' twice as muckle's a' that; My dearest bluid, to do them guid, They're welcome till't for a' that.
Recitativo
So sang the bard--and Nansie's wa's Shook with a thunder of applause, Re-echo'd from each mouth!
They toom'd their pocks, they p.a.w.n'd their duds, They scarcely left to co'er their fuds, To quench their lowin drouth: Then owre again, the jovial thrang The poet did request To lowse his pack an' wale a sang, A ballad o' the best; He rising, rejoicing, Between his twa Deborahs, Looks round him, an' found them Impatient for the chorus.
Air
Tune--"Jolly Mortals, fill your Gla.s.ses."
See the smoking bowl before us, Mark our jovial ragged ring!
Round and round take up the chorus, And in raptures let us sing--
Chorus
A fig for those by law protected!
Liberty's a glorious feast!
Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.
What is t.i.tle, what is treasure, What is reputation's care?
If we lead a life of pleasure, 'Tis no matter how or where!
A fig for, &c.
With the ready trick and fable, Round we wander all the day; And at night in barn or stable, Hug our doxies on the hay.
A fig for, &c.
Does the train-attended carriage Thro' the country lighter rove?
Does the sober bed of marriage Witness brighter scenes of love?
A fig for, &c.
Life is al a variorum, We regard not how it goes; Let them cant about decorum, Who have character to lose.
A fig for, &c.
Here's to budgets, bags and wallets!
Here's to all the wandering train.
Here's our ragged brats and callets, One and all cry out, Amen!
Chorus
A fig for those by law protected!
Liberty's a glorious feast!
Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.
Song--For A' That^1
Tune--"For a' that."
Tho' women's minds, like winter winds, May shift, and turn, an' a' that, The n.o.blest breast adores them maist-- A consequence I draw that.
Chorus
For a' that, an' a' that, And twice as meikle's a' that; The bonie la.s.s that I loe best She'll be my ain for a' that.
Great love I bear to a' the fair, Their humble slave, an' a' that; But lordly will, I hold it still A mortal sin to thraw that.
For a' that, &c.
But there is ane aboon the lave, Has wit, and sense, an' a' that; A bonie la.s.s, I like her best, And wha a crime dare ca' that?
For a' that, &c.
In rapture sweet this hour we meet, Wi' mutual love an' a' that,
[Footnote 1: A later version of "I am a bard of no regard" in "The Jolly Beggars."]
But for how lang the flie may stang, Let inclination law that.
For a' that, &c.
Their tricks an' craft hae put me daft.
They've taen me in, an' a' that; But clear your decks, and here's--"The s.e.x!"
I like the jads for a' that.
For a' that, &c.
Song--Merry Hae I Been Teethin A Heckle